help needed with seedlings

[Megans-mum]

The title says it all. Last wk i planted some seeds into a tray. Lucky me they have come up, every single one that i planted. Can someone please explain to me, when do i transplant them into pots from the tray. is it when they begin to look like a small cabbage, or as they are now looking like a piece of cress. They are Durham early cabbage, for overwintering for next year. I'm very new to all this, so i need a little hand holding. Thanks everyone. kind regards judith.

[shirlthegirl43]

I tend to sow into modules or peat pots to avoid the bother of potting on tiny seedlings. However, wait until they have formed their first true leaves then hold a seed leaf gently between a thumb and forefinger, tease the roots free with a pencil or plant label and then make a relevant sized hole in a pot of compost and settle the roots in gently and firm the soil around the stem carefully.

[FionaH]

Glad you answered Shirl, I made a right hash of it the last time i tried

[rustylady]

Are you sowing at the right time of year? I thought the seedlings should be big enough to be transplanted into the open around now to overwinter. Check your seed packet for sowing times. Like Shirlthegirl I use cell trays, sowing three or four seeds per cell. Then you only need to take out the extras instead of transplanting the whole lot.

[shirlthegirl43]

Are you sowing at the right time of year? I thought the seedlings should be big enough to be transplanted into the open around now to overwinter. Check your seed packet for sowing times.

I wondered the same thing rustylady, however, I haven't been growing for long so thought there might be types of veg that could indeed be sown now - I noticed the other day that you can sow All Year Round Cauli now (must remember to give some a try).

[wellie]

I like to think that, if you're learning how to do something, that experience is good at whatever time of year. We now sow into modules because we started off NOT sowing in modules, and now prefer doing it that way, whereas when we started, we sowed just like Megan's Mum is, no?

So, Megan's Mum! this will probably give you a lovely bit of practice in 'pricking out' seedlings! and you'll be a dab hand at it next year even more so....
The advice is top banana. Then when next year is upon us, you can sow and prick out with confidence.
Good Luck with it all.

[BrideXIII]

cells? modules? trays? this can all get very confusing, which are what?

no offence, we all have our own terms, maybe sometimes different terms for the same thing?
now toilet rolls i get!

oh and for pricking out ie: taken li'l seddlings out and putting them in their own individual pots? I use a dinner fork.

[Two_Sheds]

The title says it all. Last wk i planted some seeds into a tray. ...They are Durham early cabbage

Judith
Durham Early should've been sown in July/August.

However, as Wellie says, it's all good practise ... just don't be too disappointed if they come to nothing at this time of year.

[Snadger]

Judith
Durham Early should've been sown in July/August.

However, as Wellie says, it's all good practise ... just don't be too disappointed if they come to nothing at this time of year.

Would that make them 'Durham Late' then?

Only positive suggestion I could give would be to grow them on in a cold frame or cold greenhouse to give them a chance to catch up!

[piskieinboots]

also - whilst it may be too late to get them up and at it as cabbages - I would NOT scrap them - oh no! Can you plant 'em up under cover and harvest any leaves that come off as micro green types?

Just a thought - but that is what I would try

For reference to next year, I planted my Durham Earlies (as baby plants, not sown as in seeds) a couple weeks back, they are looking very strong now

[Megans-mum]

Thanks everyone good advice as always. I lost my first lot . I did everything the right way i.e seed compost. I ended up with mould on top of my soil, then they all died. This time i used ordinary compost, didn't put the propagator lid on, as they are in my spare room ,on the window sill and 4-5 days up they popped. So now if i'm right i have to prick them out into modules then hopefully if they grow i can put them out under my fleece tunnels. Have i got this right ????? kind regards judith.

[Two_Sheds]

I lost my first lot . I did everything the right way .... I ended up with mould on top of my soil, then they all died.

not quite everything right then
you shouldn't be getting mouldy compost ... it shows your compost is too wet and humid.
Cabbages are hardy things, they don't need a propagator to germinate. As you've discovered with your 2nd batch.

I don't plant anything outside until it's big enough to withstand slug damage; that means at least 4 inches high (and strong-looking, not a 4 inch stalk with a single leaf on the top )

Judith, have you got a copy of Dr Hessayon's Veg Expert? It really is brilliant. Available online from Amazon for about £4. Amazon.co.uk: Vegetable and Herb Expert: D.G. Hessayon: Books

[FionaH]

Are you sowing at the right time of year? I thought the seedlings should be big enough to be transplanted into the open around now to overwinter.

Perpetual spinach can be sown now. At least thats what it said on the packet! I sowed some last week and have a module tray full of germinated seeds Have already got some in the garden but not ernough for a meal. It cooks down to nothing! So I thought I would sow some more. Will heed advice though and make sure they are nice and big before I plant them out.

[Megans-mum]

Hi there two sheds i have 3 books 1. Alan titchmarshes latest 2. carol kleins 3. vegetable growing month by month by john harrison. plus as many magazines as i can lay my hands on. I will deffinately try the one you've reccommended. Thanks. Sorry to hear from one of your other threads, that you have been up all night for the last 10 days. I do hope its work and not that you are poorly. Take care get some sleep. Thanks . kind regards judith.

[Megans-mum]

To everybody else thanks for great advice and info. kind regards judith